Dōjō History

Shiroi Bara was established in 1985 to promote the way of self-reliance through the practice of Koryū Kenjutsu, the discipline of Classical Japanese Swordsmanship

Shiroi Bara encourages an attitude of self-discipline and confidence and places a strong emphasis on the development of practical combative awareness. This is gained through partner and group training, using bokutō (hardwood swords) in single and two sword applications, additional weapons such as wakizashi (short sword) and bō (long staff) and are also employed.

Shiroi Bara is affiliated to and a founder member of the Eikoku Roshukai; the U.K. branch of Roshukai Japan; established by Iwata Norikazu - Hachidan Hanshi (1913-2011), a renowned and greatly respected teacher of Musō Jikiden Eishin Ryū Iaidō and a historian on the subject of Japanese Swordsmanship.

Shiroi Bara is a member of the UK Shibu for Hyōhō Niten Ichi Ryū – a traditional bugei ryūha made famous by its founder, the swordsman Shinmen Musashi Fujiwara no Genshin - more commonly known as Miyamoto Musashi. Shiroi Bara has maintained links with the Hombu dōjō and it’s headmasters since 1996 .

The training within Shiroi Bara is centered on the use of the two handed Japanese sword (katana) through the practice of pre-arranged solo patterns and partner sets and includes both Iaidō and Kenjutsu.

Shiroi Bara Instructors

Martin Simpson - Chief Instructor/Dōjō-chō (道場長)
Simon Jowett
Mark Sykes
Colin Wood

All have an extensive depth of knowledge and experience within Musō Jikiden Eishin Ryū.
Iwata Sensei personally awarded Martin Simpson, Mark Sykes & Colin Wood their teaching licences in the year 2000

Additionally, all the teachers are well practiced and proficient in a variety of martial disciplines and have trained on many occasions in Japan.

The School has an international reputation and prides itself on the high level of tuition it delivers and the students it produces from this dojo and around the world.

(Left - The founder of Roshukai - Iwata Norikazu Hanshi)

Curriculum

Musō Jikiden Eishin Ryū Iaidō (Tanimura Ha)
Seiza no bu - Omori Ryū (正座之部).
Tatehiza no bu - Eishin Ryū (立膝之部).
Okuiai Iwaza no Bu - Seated (奥居合居業之部)
Okuiai Tachiwaza no Bu - Standing (奥居合立業之部)
Bangai no Bu (番外之部)
Henka waza -variations (変化技)
Kumitachi waza (paired)
Tachi Uchi no Kata (Ōe Masamichi)
Hasagawa Eishin Ryū - Tachi Uchi no Kurai
Hasagawa Eishin Ryū - Tsume Ai no Kurai

Hyōhō Niten Ichi Ryū
Tachi Seihō - Long sword vs Long sword
Kodachi Seihō - Short Sword vs Long sword
Nitō Seihō - Two swords vs Long sword

Shiroi Bara Dōjō
FAQ

Training Times

Wednesday evenings 19.00 - 21.10

Costs

Eikoku Roshukai Affiliation : (Insurance, regular Newsletter, grade registration, seminar access) : £30.00 (paid every January or Jul-Dec £15.00, Oct-Dec £7.50)

Dojo Joining Fee : £10.00 (one off fee)

Training Fees :
First session is FREE
Per Session: £7.00
Per Month: £20.00 (paid in advance)
Per Quarter/3 months : £60.00 (paid in advance)

Equipment required

Clothing
Initially, light comfortable clothing such as jogging bottoms and tee shirt is adequate.
Kneepads and Obi (cloth belt) are essential and although some are available for use at the dojo, we recommend that students purchase their own at the earliest opportunity.
Traditional attire (hakama and keikogi) is required at Dan (black belt) level but may also be worn by beginners if they wish.

Swords
Bokutō (wooden training swords) are available for use at the dōjō.
Students are not permitted to train using metal training swords (mogitō) until first having passed a Kyu grade assessment.
As not all swords are suitable for training and before buying a training sword we recommend that students seek advice from the instructor. For safety reasons any sword considered by the instructor as unsuitable will not be allowed at the dojo.

Gradings

Student progress is assessed at regular intervals, normally twice each year until reaching ‘Shodan’ (first degree black belt) level.
Grade assessments up to Ikkyu are conducted within the Dōjō.
Shodan and grades above are assessed externally

Shiroi Bara Dōjō